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Mustard seeds: EU reduces imports from Russia by 90%

November 28, 2024 at 4:14 PM , Der AUDITOR
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OTTAWA/MOSCOW. Canada's mustard seed forecasts for the 2024/2025 season remain unchanged from last month's estimates, with shipments to the EU up nearly 17% since then.

Canada's estimates remain unchanged

Things will be a little quieter in the Canadian mustard seed market at the end of the year. As the experts at Rayglen Commodities report, there is hardly any demand; only brown mustard seeds are requested comparatively frequently, although prices remain unchanged at CAD 0.31-0.32/lb. Golden mustard seeds, meanwhile, are offered at CAD 0.41-0.43/lb. While the processing industry stays in spot business, growers are already preparing for the coming sowing and are gradually stocking up on seeds.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's November report maintains previous seasonal estimates. Yields can still be expected to increase by 30.9% to 0.89 mt/ha compared to last year, which means that mustard seed production will increase by 23.4% to 211,000 mt year-on-year despite smaller acreages (-5.6% to 237,000 ha). Thanks to the carry-over stocks from last year, a total of 308,000 mt of mustard seeds would be available on the Canadian market this season.

Mustard seeds, Canada

2022/23

2023/24

Diff.

2023/24

2024/25

Diff.

Area sown (ha)

225,000

258,000

14.7%

258,000

245,000

-5.0%

Area harvested (ha)

219,000

251,000

14.6%

251,000

237,000

-5.6%

Yield (mt/ha)

0.74

0.68

-8.1%

0.68

0.89

30.9%

Production (mt)

162,000

171,000

5.6%

171,000

211,000

23.4%

Imports (mt)

11,000

16,000

45.5%

16,000

9,000

-43.8%

Total supplies (mt)

189,000

226,000

19.6%

226,000

308,000

36.3%

Exports (mt)

110,000

96,000

-12.7%

96,000

110,000

14.6%

Domestic consumption (mt)

40,000

42,000

5.0%

42,000

43,000

2.4%

Carry-over stocks (mt)

40,000

88,000

120.0%

88,000

155,000

76.1%

Avg price in CAD/mt

2,140

1,280

-40.2%

1,280

830

-35.2%

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

EU imports down by 23%

In the first five months of the 2024/2025 season (1 July – 27 November 2024), a total of 29,523 mt of mustard seeds were imported into the EU from third countries, meaning that imports fell by 23% year-on-year. This is due, among other things, to the fact that imports from Russia (-89.8% to 2,307 mt) fell significantly. Since 1 July, higher import duties have been imposed on imports from Russia into the EU, which are expected to double again to 20% from January. In contrast, imports from countries such as Ukraine (+129% to 12,235 mt), Canada (+16.7% to 10,502 mt) and Kazakhstan (+572.3% to 3,684 mt) increased significantly. The main importers in the EU were Germany (-28.9% to 8,970 mt), Poland (-52.3% to 6,610 mt) and Belgium (-26.4% to 4,830 mt).

The prices for mustard seeds, Sinapis Alba, 99.95% purity with Eastern European origin are currently at a level of EUR 750-800/mt DDP Germany. In preparation for the tariff increase in the New Year, some buyers are stocking up on goods as a precaution.

EU mustard seed imports, in mt

Supplier

2023

2024

Diff.

Ukraine

5,343

12,235

129.0%

Canada

9,001

10,502

16.7%

Kazakhstan

548

3,684

572.3%

Russia

22,657

2,307

-89.8%

Moldova

143

576

302.8%

Others

654

219

-66.5%

Total

38,346

29,523

-23.0%

DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-27/11

12075090 Mustard seeds, whether or not broken (excl. for sowing)

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